title: Modulation of the cellular immune system by intravenous immunoglobulin.
abstract: Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is therapeutically used in a variety of immune-mediated diseases. The beneficial effects of IVIg in auto-antibody-mediated diseases can be explained by neutralization, accelerated clearance and prevention of Fcgamma-receptor binding of auto-antibodies. However, the means by which IVIg exerts therapeutic effects in disorders mediated by cellular immunity have remained enigmatic. Clinical improvements, followed by IVIg treatment, often extend beyond the half-life of infused IgG, thereby indicating that IVIg modifies the cellular immune compartment for a prolonged period. Here, we discuss recent advances in the understanding of different, mutually non-exclusive mechanisms of action of IVIg on cells of the innate and adaptive immune system. These mechanisms might explain the beneficial effects of IVIg in certain autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Thanyalak
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tha-In
authors.forename: Jagadeesh
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bayry
authors.forename: Herold J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Metselaar
authors.forename: Srini V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Kaveri
authors.forename: Jaap
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kwekkeboom
mesh_terms: D000220:Adaptation, Biological / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000276:immunology; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000276:immunology*; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000276:immunology; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000276:immunology*; D017452:Receptors, IgG / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D017452:Receptors, IgG